Georgia is a fantastic place to visit for those who can’t manage to get to the “real” attractions…and I mean this in the most affectionate way possible. Georgia is a state that takes its nationalism and patriotism seriously. It is also a state that is hung up on “big attractions” and strange roadside attractions that never seem to fail at attracting the oddest of visitors.

So come on a Jurnii with us as we venture towards the coast through the surprising state of Georgia.

1. Lunchbox Museum: Columbus, Georgia

Inspired by the lunchtime memories of the years before the 1980’s, the Lunchbox Museum offers an extensive collection of America’s most beloved lunchtime metal pales.

The boxes have strategically been placed in alphabetical order allowing visitors to embark on a journey through their favorite cartoon covered pales, or to simply skip to the one that they loved the most.

From Adam 12 to Yoda, this museum seemingly has it all.

2. Babyland General Hospital: Cleveland, Georgia

For anyone born around the 1980’s, a journey to the Babyland General Hospital of Cleveland will bring back the fondest memories and introduce new ones to the next generation’s culture.

Cleveland is the birth town of the Cabbage Patch Kids, and the Babyland hospital here pays tribute to this phenomenon like no other institution could.

See the birth of these iconic dolls and experience the opportunity to nurture them into this world and even take one home with you.

3. Little Grand Canyon of Georgia: Lumpkin, Georgia

The Grand Canyon of Arizona is a place every true American should visit at least once in a lifetime. However, if you can’t manage to make it to the real thing, the Little Grand Canyon of Georgia shall nicely suffice.

Now we’re not claiming that it is anywhere close to being as remarkable, spectacular and awe-inspiring as the real thing, yet it is still aesthetically pleasing in its own right.

The area covers a total area of 1,108 acres and boasts an impressive 15 canyons, but sadly only reaches 1/30^th of the depth of the true Grand Canyon.

4. Statue of Liberty Replica: McRae, Georgia

Once again, this attraction is ideal for those who can’t actually make it to the real thing.

Constructed entirely just by looking at photographs of the New York version, this replica of the Statue of Liberty is scaled to 1/12 of the actual Miss Liberty and is particularly beautiful at night under the carefully placed glowing lights.

5. The Georgia Guidestones: Nuberg, Georgia

Regarded as southern America’s answer to Stonehenge, the Georgia Guidestones may not be quite as visually breathtaking, but they do inspire some sense of awe.

Standing strong since 1930, the granite formations stand an impressive 19-foot tall each and are engraved with messages in a total of eight different languages.

Nobody really seems to know what they mean and why they are there, but nevertheless, they are still quite a fascinating attraction to visit if you can’t get to the real thing.

-Chrissy

Are you a fan of replicas and know of any more that can be found in Georgia? Tell us about them in the comments below.

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The great state of Tennessee is home to some of the country’s best (and strangest) attractions. Home to everything Elvis, Tennessee is also prone to “big” attractions along with a lot of cultural highlights that only the locals seem to “get”.

So come along on a Jurnii as we travel into the South and uncover some of the strangest attractions that can be found on the great American roadside.

1. Museum of Appalachia: Clinton, Tennessee

The terms weird and wacky take on a whole new meaning once you have visited the Museum of Appalachia; home to seemingly endless oddities and strange attractions.

Boasting over a quarter of a million artifacts, highlights of the museum include the perpetual motion machine, the American axe and the tribute to the history of the nail.

2. Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

If you like your food seasoned (and seasoned well) you are going to love the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers.

Walk the halls of this crazy museum and come across almost 20,000 salt and pepper shakers, each placed into their own unique category, in a manner that is pleasing to the eye and quirky enough to make you stop and take a look.

From feet and crab claws, to every vegetable imaginable, this museum covers it all!

3. Elvis Museum: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

No museum encompasses the true extent of the Elvis phenomenon quite like the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Die-hard fans are likely to swoon over his old sweaty clothes, the underwear that was hurled at him onstage and the two sets of his x-rays. Add to this collectables of the last personal hygiene products he used and you have yourself a shrine that could easily compete with (and even surpass) the bedroom of any completely obsessed fan.

4. Dinosaur Walk Museum: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Americans seem to love all things big so it seemed an obvious move to combine this notion of big with the ancient creatures of terror; the dinosaurs.

Walk among creatures that existed over 65 million years ago, being careful to avoid a run-in with the 42-foot long T-Rex and the 70-foot long Apatosaurus.

The Dinosaur Walk Museum is a huge novelty but definitely not one to miss!

5. International Towing and Recovery Museum: Chattanooga, Tennessee

The town of Chattanooga has a rich towing history; in fact some may liken it to Detroit’s strong connection to the auto industry.

The International Towing and Recovery Museum pays tribute to all things towing, housing an impressive collection of odd-looking tow trucks that each tell their own unique story. The aim of the museum is to lift the dark shadow that usually follows tow-truck drivers around, and achieves this through the colorful displays and exhibits.

- Chrissy

Been to Tennessee lately and think we’ve left anything off the list? Let us know about them in the comments below!

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Ohio may be located right on the far edge of the mid-west region of the United States, but all of its roadside attractions follow the same pattern as its homeland. Home to a large handful of big, wacky and just-plain-strange attractions, Ohio is a must if you are looking for something really out-there!

So come along as we Jurnii across the last state of the mid-west and say Hi to Ohio!

1. American Sign Museum: Cincinnati, Ohio

America’s roadside is what it is because of the weird and wacky things that can be found along it, and these odd attractions would be nothing if it were not for the signs that lead you to them.

The American Sign Museum pays tribute to these signs and is in fact the only one of its kind in the country. But don’t be mistaken by the usual nature of roadside museums; the owner is serious about signs and this more than shines through in this epic tribute to them.

2. Cincinnati Police Museum: Cincinnati, Ohio

American’s seem to have a bit of a fascination with stuffed animals so it should come as no surprise that Cincinnati’s local police museum boasts a taxidermy hero dog!

Handsome is a local hero and stands proud in the Cincinnati Police Museum, which is also home to the likes of  an entire case of murder weapons including bombs, hammers, bayonets, and concrete blocks. In fact, the only thing missing from this museum is an electric chair; but don’t fret, one is one its way.

3. World’s Largest Rubber Stamp: Cleveland, Ohio

As with most other states in America, Ohio also has a mild obsession with “World’s Largest Things”, and the city of Cleveland is no exception. The world’s largest rubber stamp has been making its mark on this town since 1991, and measures an impressive 28-feet tall and 48-feet long.

4. Bible Walk and Living Bible Museum: Mansfield, Ohio

The experience you will have at the Living Bible Museum will be like walking through a wax bible. The Old and New Testament tours are particularly fascinating and will take you on a spiritual journey through the world’s holiest book.

The wax dummies depict the stories in a realistic manner and will leave any religious fanatic (or non-fanatic) in awe of these fascinating stories of the past.

5. World’s Largest Basket-shaped Building: Newark

Coming home from work as a basket case is given a whole new meaning at the world’s largest basket in Newark, Ohio. The basket is a replica of Longaberger’s Medium Market Basket…but measures in at more the 160 times larger, and is the home office of Longaberger’s company.

If you get a chance to visit at night, you won’t be disappointed as the sight of the basket lit up is quite remarkable.

-Chrissy

Visited Ohio lately and come across some other strange attractions? Tell us of your travels in the comments below!

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